Washington (CNN) - CNN has learned that Republicans plan to try to repeal the health care law almost immediately after taking control of the House, setting the stage for an early confrontation with President Obama.

House GOP sources tell CNN that they will unveil repeal legislation Monday night, even before they claim the majority Wednesday. Then, on Friday, Republicans will hold a critical procedural vote – the first step towards passing the repeal. A final House vote will likely take place next Wednesday.
Republicans have said for some time the House would take up repealing health care, a top GOP campaign issue, during the first month of the new Congress, but up to now have not revealed exactly when. Regardless, the repeal has little chance of passing the Senate.

Republicans say they decided to bring it up this soon to quickly respond to voters' frustration with the health care law, which Republicans argue is hurting the economy.

"Obamacare is a job killer for businesses small and large, and the top priority for House Republicans is going to be to cut spending and grow the economy and jobs," said Brad Dayspring, spokesman for incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-VA.

"Further, Obamacare failed to lower costs as the president promised that it would, and does not allow people to keep the care they currently have if they like it. That is why the House will repeal it next week," he said.

The fact that this will be taken up by the full House so soon without committee hearings will likely draw scorn from Democrats, since Republicans have pledged to make the House more open and transparent.

But, GOP sources insist the health care law has been litigated for two years, and say that they do intend to conduct health care hearings. Along with legislation for repeal will be instructions for key House committees to hold hearings on what new health care law should replace it.

Because House Republicans will have such big numbers in their new majority, they likely have the votes to pass the health care repeal. But Republicans admit the repeal will almost surely die in the Senate, where Democrats maintain control.

Given that reality, Republicans say their long term strategy for doing away with the health care law is to try to use Congress' power of the purse to choke funding and make it hard for the administration to implement the law.

Threats of a health care reform repeal by House Republicans did not appear to be rattling the White House.

An aide pointed out that Democrats still control the Senate and it appears highly unlikely that a repeal would pass in that chamber. In addition President Obama could use his veto pen.

Nonetheless, the White House is planning to push back. "We're going to defend the bill [law] and continue to stress all the benefits that are going into effect right now," said the aide.

And White House spokesman Reid Cherlin said, "We're confident about defending the law."

Meanwhile Senate Democratic leaders, anticipating this House Republican move, sent a letter Monday to incoming House Speaker John Boehner warning that repealing the health care law would take away "popular consumer protections that help middle class Americans," including fixing the so-called Medicare "donut hole," which caused higher prescription drug costs for seniors.

"Taking this benefit away from seniors would be irresponsible and reckless at a time when it is becoming harder and harder for seniors to afford a healthy retirement," wrote the Senate Democratic leaders.

soundoff(228 Responses)

Georgia

When is the Average American going to figure out that the Republicans DON"T CARE about Average People?! They only want to take care of their Rich Buddies and the corporations! There are many parts of the Healthcare Reform (as imperfect as it is) that will genuinely benefit the Average American! But you know what? The Republicans DON'T CARE! Its about time that the Average American Stand Up Against the Republicans!!! There needs to be a Reform of all of the Money Politicians are allowed to take in from their Fat Cat Friends! Make them earn their money – just like we do!
Remember: Republicans = Incompetence!

January 3, 2011 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |

Mark, Raleigh

A constructive discussion on how do things differently on healthcare or any other topic would be welcome. The country would benefit by having ideas brought in from both Republicans and Democrats. Hopefully we'd end up with a blend of the best ideas from both sides instead of an inability to say no to any special interest.

Unfortunately what we have here is a continuation of the practices of congress for the last two years. Instead of putting forth any real ideas, the Republicans are spreading lies falsehoods. Just calling it "Obamacare" is insulting and a negative connotation. Attributing the need to repeal it because of things that it never did (death panels), or isn't supposed to do yet (save money) is simply indigenous and insulting to all.

January 3, 2011 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |

Rickster

Finally...some hope & change I can believe in! The long national nightmare is over! Repeal that monstrosity, then repeal everything else the community organizer and his brainless minions have put into place.

January 3, 2011 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |

GOP platform

There you have it, the GOP platform is to choke America to death:

"Given that reality, Republicans say their long term strategy for doing away with the health care law is to try to use Congress' power of the purse to choke funding and make it hard for the administration to implement the law."

January 3, 2011 05:59 pm at 5:59 pm |

Craig from Pa.

Let's start by rescinding health benefits for politicians.....I also think that when it comes time for congressional raises that it should be put up for vote by the populace, hey they work for us remember?? We should be able to decide whether they deserve any increase. Public servants need to remember that they are just that...public servants...As for the Republicans trying to defeat the health care bill, just what are their alternative ideas that we the people are willing to buy into??I am sure they haven't a clue. Their only aim is to derail this presidency....

January 3, 2011 06:00 pm at 6:00 pm |

James Powell

I can't believe these jack booted thugs want to wage war on health benefits for the elderly.

January 3, 2011 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |

GOP = Greed Over People

The Cons pass the shrub's tax cut bill that the CBO says will add 858 billion to the national debt, and now want to repeal the health law that the CBO says would save about that much over 10 years.

The "fiscally responsible" Cons only almost destroyed this country in 2008 but now thanks to the "patriots" they will completely destroy us all this time around.

Well voters you have handed the Cons a winning hand in their agenda to see that "Obama fails", too bad your blind racism and hatred for the man will also cause the failure of the entire country.

I wonder if the Orange Oracle will manage a tear or two for all the babies, sick and elderly he and his party are about to kill?

January 3, 2011 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |

Mike in Texas

A ploy to appeal to the base and score political points. Something the Republicans proposed in he 90's (mandate) is now unconstitutional to them.

If I was the President I would tell the American people that it seems the Republicans want to go back to allowing denials for pre existing conditions (even being pregnant), allow lifetime caps, less coverage for children and keep the donut hole in the Medicare prescription plan.

The fact is most Americans like the bill or don't think it is progressive enough. Those who want to repeal it are in the minority. What happened to the will of the people Republicans?

Quit wasting time and money and work on the economy like you said you would.

Witch hunts + Futile Repeal + No New Ideas = Dems in control of everything again in two years.

January 3, 2011 06:05 pm at 6:05 pm |

jules sand-perkins

I was opposed to Obama's health-care-insurance concept originally.
If Republicans' repeal fails, after the 2012 election Republicans will attempt repeal again, unless they have lost that election.
Republicans could lose that election, because the work ethic of many Americans is now so distorted that economic recovery may be impossible, or at least too slow to change by 2012.
Many Americans' concepts concerning work, "jobs," entitlement, and "the rich" need drastic adjustment.
This will be a dangerous battle.

January 3, 2011 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |

Jim

Don't the Republicans have something better to do? It is absolutely impossible for the health care bill to be repealsed. It can't pass the Senate nor could it overturn a presidential veto.

The bill is flawed but that is becuase the Republicans refused to particpate or try to improve the bill. The only thing worse than the health care bill is what we had before we passed the health care bill.

If the Repblicans are serious they will stop trying to repeal the bill and strat working on ways to make it better.

January 3, 2011 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |

D

Gotta be a publicity stunt. They all know they have a 0% chance of getting past the PoTuS and the Senate, so why even bother in the first place? Just a stunt to placate their extremist T-P'er base.

January 3, 2011 06:08 pm at 6:08 pm |

Bob

98 percent of the people don't even know what the health care bill is about or how it works. They also think it costs them money even if they don't need it. They don't stop and think, gee there has been no cost to me so why are the Republicans so against it. Answer GREED for the RICH. But this is nothing new because we all know the Republicans are for the Rich and the Democrats are for the poor. Let me see one party wants more homes, cars, boats, etc and the other wants medical care and food for those without. While I do not belong to either party I do beleive Americans have not reached a point of saying to hell-0 with the poor but you never know. The only way out and to reach a point where both are happy is a third party but AMerican voters are as stupid as our current politicans. P.S. The Republian party knows it is a waste of time (nothing new) to try and repeal a law that Obama will veto but then that just shows how really stupid they are.

January 3, 2011 06:08 pm at 6:08 pm |

Nick

If they really believe it is too expensive,let them come up with a bill that no politician and their family should take tax-payer paid healthcare insurance plan. You take all the benefits on our dole and complain it is too expensive when it comes to us who is paying for it anyway.

January 3, 2011 06:09 pm at 6:09 pm |

mrpilot21

Rob in Det- by your rant, you are no better than the bigots you profess run the GOP. You ignorantly assume those of us who are poor allow ourselves to be led by the nose-ring. Get out of the Antebellum, mate. Second, President Obama promised to provide incentives for companies to move back and create job here... something he has yet to do. You may Google that… it was another unfulfilled campaign pledge (Guantanamo, unemployment to remain below 8%, etc). Here’s a partial quote that really showed how attentive you are; "… also has anyone noticed the tea party is nothing more than Republicans." Are you for real?!?!?!?! Of course they are, dolt! The only ones who don't know that are Hannity, Beck and Levin... and you, apparently.

The biggest scam, and here is where you really need to research your babble, is how the 111th congress bent you over and drove you to New Jersey. That's an old way of saying they drove their fist right up your back side. They were careless and reckless with our money... and are paying the price for it. Hell, we all are. How can you possibly blame anyone else than those thieves?

January 3, 2011 06:12 pm at 6:12 pm |

Steve

This is exactly what is wrong with Washington...lawsuits will be next...then what?

January 3, 2011 06:12 pm at 6:12 pm |

Charles

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the Republicans were complaining that the President had spent to much time on healthcare and that if only the American people were dumb enough I mean were will to give them a second chance they would concentrate all their energy into creating new jobs in the USA. Or did I miss something in the translation. Maybe they said they would repeal healthcare and EXPORT more jobs to China and India!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Justsan

January 3, 2011 06:12 pm at 6:12 pm |

Shannon

So what exactly are the positions of the GOP. They call the unemployed lazy, they refuse to give the unemployed help, unless their rich buddies get a tax break. They apologize to BP, and claim the tax payer should have paid to clean up their mess. Now they want to deny poor and working class Americans the right to health care, health care that you and I pay for for them, I guess their families have a right to health care, that the rest of us don't. Who in their right mind votes for these people. Unbelievable.

January 3, 2011 06:14 pm at 6:14 pm |

mrpilot21

If you look at it OBJECTIVELY, the President could take this opportunity, suggest changes he may consider, and we'd all win. If he did that, I would certainly give him my vote in 2012! He's been very impressive of late and I am beginning to appreciate SOME of his ideas :)

January 3, 2011 06:15 pm at 6:15 pm |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

...And for the record, go ahead and continue to call it Obamacare that way people will NEVER forget who fought Big Business, the enitre corrupt GOP machine,and special interest groups to make sure that all Americans had access to healthcare and could not be turned away due to a pre-existing condition.

January 3, 2011 06:15 pm at 6:15 pm |

Al

Hey Johnny where are the JOBS???

January 3, 2011 06:16 pm at 6:16 pm |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

Somebody better be keeping track of how much this is going to cost us – the taxpayers – to pursue in court.

January 3, 2011 06:16 pm at 6:16 pm |

Death Panel Sarah

Cantor says....Further, Obamacare failed to lower costs as the president promised that it would, and does not allow people to keep the care they currently have if they like it. That is why the House will repeal it next week," ...

most of the provisions haven't gone into effect, yet. It has no provision who a patient sees....just more lies from the liars!!!!

January 3, 2011 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |

Shannon

Wait, didn't they say they were going to focus on jobs.....right, they've already forgotten about that. These people are liars, and the only thing they care about is destroying President Obama, and getting their rich buddies tax cuts.

January 3, 2011 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |

XWngLady

Yeah...This is "bold" like the Republicans choosing a woman as the VP Candidate in the wake of Barack Obama beating Hillary Clinton was a "bold" move. NOT! Its hyperpolitical and extremely predictable, just like choosing Sarah Palin was (and we all know how that turned out).....((yawn))...I am actually going to have a good time watching he Republicans tell the Millions of Americans who have been benefiting from the changes that they're going to take it all away. Can't wait to see how they are going to spin opening up the "donut hole" again for seniors and their prescription or booting Americans' 23 year old students off of their insurance...go ahead Republicans I want you to look America straight in the eye while you collect your salaries and tell that that you are going to do this.....where's my popcorn.

January 3, 2011 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |

Rob Johnson

The real truth about health care reform is that it's not good OR bad–not yet, because it hasn't even really gone into effect. We'll know in another couple of years or so whether it's worked or not, but maybe not until 2014, or longer than that.

If conservatives and Republicans don't like it, that's fine, they have other arguments they can use against it effectively. But to say "ObamaCare is a job killer" when it hasn't really done ANYTHING yet, good or bad, is just hysterical propaganda.

Then again, that seems to be all the GOP has left anymore, so that should come as no surprise. Anything less than hysterical propaganda and their Tea Party wing will say they are "too soft" and demand another round of idiotic screaming about how Obama is secretly a Muslim who was born in Kenya and is determined to turn the USA into Soviet Russia circa 1955.